520: Seattle groups to Gregoire – talk now, or ‘more delay’

The coalition of groups opposed to the state’s preferred option for replacing the 520 bridge on Tuesday responded to Gov. Chris Gregoire, who says debating the issue further will lead to unacceptable delays.

Gregoire on Monday said in a letter that changing the planned configuration of the 520 bridge replacement from six auto lanes to four lanes with two bus/transit lanes would take too long.

She was responding to a news conference earlier in the day at which Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn, leading state lawmakers the city and community groups advocated an idea that would dedicate four lanes to auto traffic, with two other lanes for buses and transit

On Tuesday the Coalition for a Sustainable State Route 520 said in a letter PDF to the governor:

If you do not like that option, then let’s all agree that the additional two lanes on SR 520 will be transit-only from the start. That’s a minimal change, because the new design is required by ESSB 6099 to support bus and light rail anyway. Almost all the work done to date can be used for this plan. Construction of all six lanes could start as soon as conceptual agreement is reached.

So with goodwill, the project could move ahead promptly.

On the other hand, if the State refuses to consider reasonable alternatives now, the result will be more delay when WSDOT has to go backward and do the required analysis later.

The coalition includes neighborhood groups in Seattle, as well as the Sierra Club and the Cascade Bicycle club.

Gregoire and lawmakers outside Seattle insist that it’s “too late” to reopen the process after years of debate and discussion.